How much schooling do you need to joing the coast guard as a warrent officer and can you advance on to officer from there when you get a 4 yr degree? Is it kind of like the Navy where you would be a limited duty officer? Are there any time requirments for time in grade or time in service? I almost have my Associates degree and want to get out of civilian life and into the Coast Guard. I want to be an officer as well but I do not yet have a four year degree. What should I be doing?